2008 the Year of Wild & Scenic!This year, the Westfield River will celebrate its 15th Anniversary since being designated as a National Wild & Scenic River. This anniversary happens to occur the same year the country celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.
The Westfield River became Massachusetts’ first National Wild & Scenic River when forty-three miles were designated on November 2nd, 1993. Fifteen years later, this designation has been expanded to over 78 miles of the Westfield River’s three major tributaries and headwater streams.
As a state-administered Wild & Scenic River, the Westfield River is unique in that the management of the National Wild & Scenic designation is accomplished through locally-based and state protection. Since a mix of public and private lands border the designated reaches of the Westfield River, state and federal agencies, landowners, business owners, and other community members share responsibility for the Wild & Scenic River designation and management.
The importance of local river stewards is evident in the recent participation of over 65 Stream Team volunteers who surveyed over 70 miles of the
Westfield River.
Using protocols developed by the Riverways Adopt-A-Stream Program, volunteers documented and assessed the
Westfield River’s outstandingly remarkable scenic, geological, historical, recreational and ecological resources.
Survey findings have been compiled into Shoreline Survey Reports and Executive Summaries, as well as large format maps which depict the problems, assets and priories for action identified by the volunteers.
These will be incorporated into the
Westfield River Wild & Scenic Stewardship Plan. This blog is being set-up as a way to share information among the Stream Team volunteers and others interested in the protection of the unique and outstanding Wild & Scenic Westfield River!
